Laptop Backpacks reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 117 Reddit reviews across 16 subreddits and 23 posts to rank the best Laptop Backpacks brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/BuyItForLife, r/cycling, r/Frontend, r/handbags, r/ManyBaggers. Top-rated brands include Osprey (4.5/5), Aer (4.4/5), Tom Bihn (5.0/5).
Stats
Reviews117
Subreddits16
Posts23
Brands48
Products77
117 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Osprey
4.5
(10)
"Go with Osprey. You can’t beat their quality and they will repair or replace it for life."
"You can’t beat their warranty and they make quality bags."
"I can recoomend any osprey backpack, they're all incredible."
"Osprey has a good variety, and they have a good gap at the bottom of the laptop sleeve to prevent damage when putting the backpack down."
"Osprey make amazing packs, have used them for years. Current I think is a Stratos bikepacking pack."
"Osprey or Tumi"
"If you like the North Face Borealis, you might also want to check out the Osprey Daylite Plus. It has a similar style, is comfortable for daily use, and has great organization for laptops and other gear."
"Osprey bags"
"I think this backpack from Osprey could be a great choice. It's known for durability and functionality."
"I have a 15.4 laptop backpack made by Osprey. Fits great."
#2
Aer
4.4
(9)
"Invest in a bombproof laptop sleeve first. Think of it as a seatbelt for your $2k+ tech. Aer, Thule, or even a cheapo Amazon Basics padded sleeve."
"I keep coming back to the Aer Day Pack 2. It’s compact but has plenty of space for my laptop, charger, and other daily essentials. It’s got that sleek, minimal design that works for both casual and professional settings, and the build quality is top-notch."
"I cannot recommend Aer’s stuff enough, over any other brand I’ve ever tried or seen."
"You could fit all of that in the Aer Tech Folio, I love mine!"
"TP is their bestseller and most well designed bag imo."
"I have an older version of this: https://aersf.com/products/travel-pack-3?country=US Not in your budget, but mine was used. I carry my MSI Raider in it and also ruck with it."
"I've used an Aer Travel Pack (2, the one with a separate shoe/laundry compartment) for this in the past and it worked quite well."
"The Aer Duffel Pack always worked well for me."
"AER Flight pack."
#3
Tom Bihn
5.0
(6)
"Tom Bihn , expensive but I can lift up the bag from the zipper without having second thoughts."
"Definitely get a TB bag. You won’t be disappointed. I’ve tried dozens of BIFL bag brands and Tom Bihn just is the best build quality and comfort."
"Another vouch for Tom Bihn. Bought a Synapse for undergrad over a decade ago and it still sees regular use as an overnight travel bag."
"I use the Tom Bihn Synik 30 and absolutely love it. Best backpack I have ever owned."
"Tom Bihn Tristar is a great pack, used to use it for gym clothes, toiletries, work clothes, laptop, etc when I used to go into office pre Covid."
"Check out TomBihn.com they have lots of options and their bags are high quality and really comfortable. I have the Synik 30 and love it."
#4
Everki
4.8
(5)
"Everki Onyx. Best bag for work I've owner without a doubt. Had the Aer techpack. Awful compared to this."
"I have an Everki Atlas that I used for work when I had a more hands-on tech role which required carrying, not only a laptop, but a bunch of other stuff. This thing is incredibly sturdy/well-made."
"Everki Atlas travel-friendly laptop backpack 13 inch to 17.3 inch adaptable compartment."
"Cushy straps, cross connector, big well-padded laptop compartment with scratch-preventing fuzzy interior, single large compartment for general storage, two side pockets."
"Everki. Just keep up on the water repellent coating (it’s not waterproof) not many backpacks are."
#5
Thule
4.8
(5)
"Thule accent convertible, really nice bag. Can be worn as a backpack, or hideaway straps and carried as briefcase or attached pass through for luggage handle."
"Thule Subterra 25L works great for me! It was made for cyclist commuters in mind. Has lots of organisation while being relatively light and even an outer pocket for a small bike lock. The back padding is amazing and straps are thick and supportive."
"I bought Thule Chasm Backpack 26L a year or so ago, very nice, not too big, stylish and fits your MacBook or any other laptop just perfect."
"Thule all the way. My last one lasted 7/8 years & I replaced it with the newer version 4 years ago & it looks like new."
"It's a Thule, and I think it might have been an ancestor of the construct line. The ONLY thing showing age besides maybe the design is that the plastic overmolding on the zipper pulls broke up and came off."
#6
Tumi
4.8
(5)
"It shows one laptop but 2 fit easily. It’s an excellent bag and worth the investment."
"TUMI Osborn Roll Backpack - price tag is steap but it has been the only one to survive frequent airports and they have a lifetime repair warranty"
"My Tumi voyager is amazing and a BIFL"
"Anything by Tumi or Frietag. I have a Freitag right now I love it"
"Https://www.tumi.com/p/celina-backpack-01465662693/ nylon but very sleek looking."
#7
Targus
4.2
(5)
"Targus. I woked at Circuit City 25 years ago in high school and bought one of those bags there with my employee discount. That bag was used daily for the rest of high school, college, every trip I went on I used it as one of my carry on bags."
"The Targus did very well on our vacation in Europe. My wife liked it a lot. I do feel it will hold up well. It has a ton of protection padding and the laptop compartment is suspended/isolated so the laptop doesn't hit the ground through the bottom when you set it down."
"Targus Spruce EcoSmart Travel Laptop Backpack for 17 inch Laptops, TSA-Friendly Carry On Backpack Laptop Bag for Work and Travel, Black (TBB019US) - Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.5 (190 ratings)"
"My laptop backpack carries 2 laptops and has held up great over the years, and it was onky $20"
"I wear a slim backpack with an expansion zipper (Targus Urban Expandable), and use a foldable helmet (the Closca). When the helmet isn't in the backpack, I can keep the expansion closed to keep the contents a little closer to my center of mass."
#8
The North Face
5.0
(4)
"Big fan of The North Face Base Camp Voyager 26L backpack. I use it for work and bring my personal laptop as well as my work laptop on trips."
"The North Face Borealis is a solid choice, especially if you want something with multiple compartments and comfortable straps. It has a well-padded laptop sleeve and offers decent space for all your stuff, which is nice for day-to-day use."
"Been rocking my northface for 20 years. Just got a new one and I love the updates."
"I've been using the same north face borealis backpack for the last 10 years with no problems."
#9
Mission Workshop
4.8
(4)
"I eventually settled on a Mission Workshop bag (the Rhake), and it’s been a game-changer. It’s not just about the weatherproofing—though that’s saved me more than once in sudden downpours"
"Check out Mission Workshop backpacks. Still using my messenger bag from them through all four seasons for 10 years."
"Mission Workshop makes my favorite bags."
"Mission workshop arkiv. Modular arrangement is nice for external pouches and very roomy and rugged interior."
#10
GoRuck
4.8
(4)
"GoRuck GR1 26L"
"My GoRuck Echo is 8 years old and still in incredible shape! The zippers on these bags are just bonkers. So sturdy and overbuilt."
"GoRuck GR1 if you want a simple bag or GR2 if you want more organization options. Both are US made and built like tanks."
"I love goruck stuff and they have some heritage style bags that may fit the aesthetic you want."
#11
Swiss Gear
4.8
(4)
"I’ve had my Swiss laptop backpack for 8 years, few of which I was in college. It’s still kicking, highly recommend."
"Swiss all the way their backpacks are incredibly made and have great accessories and pockets for each item like a mouse and charger and best of all it looks lack a back pack not a leather brick"
"I'm using a Swiss gear backpack right now, bought it back in 2007 and the warranty is still active on it. Very good buy."
"Swiss gear ibex. It's like $90 but well worth it"
#12
Nomatic
4.7
(3)
"Personally, I prefer backpacks that are a little more streamlined for work or travel, so I went with the Nomatic Navigator series. It feels more professional and has a lot of smart compartments for organizing tech. The build quality is great, and it’s pretty weather-resistant too."
"Love my Nomatic. It’s expensive though! Got mine as a gift."
"If you’re looking for alternatives, I’d recommend checking out the Samsonite Tectonic Lifestyle or the Nomatic Navigator Backpack. Both are super functional with great laptop protection, tons of organization, and a sleek design."
#13
DailyObjects
4.7
(3)
"I just got the idyll tote in grey, it snugly fits my gaming laptop and other stuff! Love it already"
"I have the daily objects carbon black idyll tote. It is HUGE, has so much space it carries my life every single day. Multiple pockets and ngl I love how it looks. It is a little on the bigger side and is a tote, so that’s something to think about. My opinion? Go for it. Very nice build quality"
"Try daily objects or mokobara if you want to spend a bit more"
#14
Timbuk2
4.7
(3)
"I've had mine since 2019 and it's held up perfectly. Looks as good as new."
"Our favourite is the Timbuk2 Command Laptop Backpack with a 16 inch MacBook Pro, it has an extremely sleek, stylish design with lots of padding to protect your laptop from bumps and bruises."
"The Timbuk2 Especial bags are quite good."
#15
Chrome
4.3
(3)
"Gotta try chrome bags!! they even have old school seatbelt clips they are amazing and will last a lifetime."
"Chrome and Aer have fans."
"I have experienced a chrome messenger bag. It’s cool and functional and they have a nice warranty."
#16
Herschel
4.3
(3)
"Hershel Kaslo Tech backpack! Comes as 20L or 30L. I think it's the most BIFL worthy backpack brand."
"Mine fits in the sleeve of my Herschel Pop Quiz and holds all my giant books well."
"I just bought it and it fits my MacBook with a case on it, 2 folders, a textbook, a planner, headphones, 2 calculators, a pencil bag, my iPad, MacBook charger, a Starbucks thermos and a sweater all comfortably."
#17
Monos
5.0
(2)
"Second this recommendation: https://monos.com/products/metro-backpack I love this one. It’s surprisingly lightweight."
"Vegan leather, but maybe the Monos metro backpack? I don't have this specifically, but I own a lot of Monos products – they have all been wonderful quality, sturdy, and I love the design."
#18
Arcane
5.0
(2)
"I have this same backpack and love it for both work and short hiking trips. The separate laptop section is a great feature and it holds quite a bit with well designed sections/pockets and compression straps."
"Arcane large to be precise"
#19
Linus Tech Tips
4.5
(2)
"Might be expensive & takes a month to arrive, but it is the best backpack I ever had in my life. It is great for traveling, waterproof, extremely durable and has space for all lot of things."
"Linus Tech tips makes a really nice bag"
#20
SwissGear
4.5
(2)
"I've used my Swissgear 5505 Laptop Backpack for years when I was a student. It is well padded and the straps are the most comfortable I've tried."
"I've had an old Swiss Gear for years. Can't speak to current Swiss Gear / Wenger quality, but don't appear to be much different. Not fancy, but solid, and not horribly priced."
#21
OGIO
4.5
(2)
"Been traveling and sporting my OGIO Renegade since 2007. Super durable and plenty of specialized storage compartments. Love it."
"Https://www.ogio.com/backpacks/renegade-rss-laptop-backpack/ogio-backpack-2017-renegade-rss.html"
#22
Samsonite
4.5
(2)
"My Samsonite Laptop bag is still holding up great after about 7 years of daily use and multiple washings."
"If you’re looking for alternatives, I’d recommend checking out the Samsonite Tectonic Lifestyle or the Nomatic Navigator Backpack. Both are super functional with great laptop protection, tons of organization, and a sleek design."
#23
Coach
4.5
(2)
"I have a Coach Hitch Backpack for work and grad school. I bought it last year and it is my go to."
"Given the sheer size of the laptop, I'd say maybe the Beck Roll Top Backpack from Coach? Though the price is quite steep and I don't fully recall if a 16" laptop can fit in there."
#24
Deuter
4.0
(2)
"None at all. I've literally had TWO rucksacks in the past 20 years or so and both were Deuter Giga."
"Deuter Giga. I bought the first one at uni, used it for years. It was still okay-ish when I replaced it about 10 years later. Now I've got a Deuter Giga again, couldn't be happiert. I do have an extra rainproof cover for it though."
#25
Crumpler
4.0
(2)
"The crumpler bags I've had have always been comfortable and designed with riding in mind."
"I bought a crumpler bag over 20 years ago that is still solid."
#26
Hently
5.0
(1)
"I spilled recommend the Hently range https://henty.cc/shop/commuter/wingman-backpack/ Most comfortable back pack style I know."
#27
Peak Outdoor
5.0
(1)
"The Outdoor Line by Peak is great for this specifically. Ultralight, but can still carry a laptop, and camera gear if needed."
#28
Carryology
5.0
(1)
"Tried many of them, by far best is the Carryology Matador EDX lite (371g)."
#29
Topo Designs
5.0
(1)
"The Go Pack 2 is the lightest bag I would ever trust for a laptop bag."
#30
Black Ember
5.0
(1)
"Or, look at black ember citadel R3 25L."
#31
Ctactical
5.0
(1)
"100% the Ctactical ct21 imo. Amazing bag, and incredible bang for your buck."
#32
Defy
5.0
(1)
"Defy Bucktown, sturdy and stylish, nicely padded."
#33
Patagonia
5.0
(1)
"Patagonia Black Hole backpacks. I worked as a bike messenger and if it is waterproof enough for that it will be waterproof enough for you I am sure. :) They are huge and I used mine daily for the last 10 years."
#34
Boundary
5.0
(1)
"The laptop protection in the boundary Arris is outstanding."
#35
Rains
5.0
(1)
"Rains! The material they use is lovely - matte and waterproof. The one I have has a laptop pocket inside and is really comfortable to carry."
#36
Mountainsmith
5.0
(1)
"Mountainsmith makes some damn fine quality backpacks. Cost a bit more, but well worth it."
#37
Ortlieb
5.0
(1)
"I can recommend ortlieb backpacks. They are comfortable, truly waterproof and you can add laptop holders etc. Expensive outlay but they last for easily a decade or more."
#38
Tomtoc
5.0
(1)
"I bought the exact Tomtoc Navigator T71 from your picture. I am extremely happy with this backpack. Very protective for the laptop."
#39
Able Carry
4.0
(1)
"Able Carry X pack bags. X pack is waterproof but you'll almost always have to get a rain cover if you want full waterproofability."
#40
Fjallraven
4.0
(1)
"Fjallraven are not bad to make light but structured bag like the skule."
#41
Under Armour
4.0
(1)
"I use this backpack for commuting daily (tied down to my rear rack). I like the added feature of accessing shoes & clothes in the separate compartment at the bottom of the bag."
#42
GotBag
4.0
(1)
"Gotbag is a fairly good choice for a allrounder-Backpack with a lot of storage space. A little overpriced tough."
#43
Mystery Ranch
4.0
(1)
"I use my Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack this way."
#44
Amazon
4.0
(1)
"I have this bag and its really good. https://amzn.asia/d/0Dzmaak"
#45
North to South
4.0
(1)
"Sorry it’s not on your list, but the North to South backpack fit my 17” work laptop and with extra space to boot!"
#46
Filson
3.0
(1)
"Filson"
#47
Kapten & Son
3.0
(1)
"Have a look at KAPTEN & SON"
#48
Hupfbags
3.0
(1)
"Bags made my Hupfbags"
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